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05/09/2016

Welcome to DU! As a member of the Class of 2020, you are among impressive company. Over a third of you have a 4.0 GPA or above. Your class comes to DU from nearly all of the 50 states and close to 30 countries around the world. This class exhibits great leadership experience and entrepreneurial spirit: Undergraduate Admission says they have never seen so many applications of students who have started (or even sold!) businesses.

We are all excited for you to become part of the DU family and to see your contributions to this inclusive, engaged community.

I am very proud of DU’s deep commitment to teaching and to student engagement—which is unusual for a research university. We are a “student first” university. You will benefit from close relationships with faculty and staff members that will shape your experience. There are also opportunities for you to engage in research, scholarship and creative work alongside faculty members.

We are in the midst of implementing a vision for the University called DU IMPACT 2025, which will guide us as we create a student experience that will better prepare you for career achievement and a life of deep meaning. And DU will remain here for you after you graduate—providing access to a global DU network and resources to support you throughout your career.

While you are at DU, I hope you seize all opportunities before you. Develop friendships with people whose backgrounds and perspectives are different from your own. Join clubs to pursue existing passions—or to discover new ones. Expand your minds by taking classes in subjects with which you aren’t familiar. Explore Denver, and summit a mountain or two!

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Congratulations, and welcome!

01/11/2016

Tania Molinar-Castillo’s college access story began when she was in eighth grade. After a presentation at her middle school highlighted the life-long economic benefits of college, Tania decided to commit herself to getting into a university. Coming from a family where nobody held a college diploma, Tania began to see college as a way to avoid working a series of dispiriting, low-income jobs following her high school graduation.

During high school Tania threw herself into her studies, becoming an honor roll student and student athlete. Originally intending to pay for college by running cross-country, Tania instead spent much of her senior year looking for scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Luckily, her first choice was the University of Denver, which ended up giving her a strong financial aid package including a large merit award. This, supplemented with other scholarships from programs like the Denver Scholarship Foundation, allowed Tania to achieve her goal of obtaining access to college in an affordable way.

Talking retrospectively about these experiences, Tania describes them as arduous, and as a “pretty lonely process” overall. However, she also points to eventually finding the right contacts like the director of DU’s Volunteers in Partnership program, who supported Tania in navigating the labyrinth nature of her college application. This person-to-person contact is considered by Tania to be fundamentally important, and something missing from her interactions with several other schools. “I think it was one of the biggest reasons why I chose to come to DU,” Tania said while reflecting on her journey. “It’s really important to have that person […] who knows your situation.”

The challenges Tania faced as a first-generation college student did not dissipate when she arrived on campus. She describes her first few weeks as being one of her “worst experiences”, full of extreme culture shock. At orientation and in the immediate days after, she gained the impression that she wasn’t going to be accepted at DU, and that there wasn’t a sufficient number of people who understood her cultural background.

Eventually, Tania was able to establish a sense of belonging. She worked hard to find communities on campus where she felt “safe and appreciated.” One of the things she did was join a multicultural sorority. “That was really huge because [then] I was around female, first-generation college students, students of color, and women who understood what I was going through,” Tania said, while describing how she began to feel more comfortable. “It’s huge finding places that not only have resources but also people who you can have a conversation with.”

Now in her final year of her undergraduate program, Tania is remarkably engaged in the campus community. In addition to her studies (she is a double major in Psychology and Women’s Studies), she works as a College Access and Diversity Fellow with Undergraduate Admission and is also the President of DU’s Multicultural Greek Council. Although exponentially more comfortable now, she remains mindful about what institutions can do to help first-generation students, zeroing in on transition programs (like DU’s ELI Program and Pioneer Pathways) as being key components. “Both bring students from underrepresented backgrounds to campus […] two weeks before orientation, and they are able to get a better sense of community and support systems before classes even start. That would have been super helpful for me, and I think it could have made a huge difference.”

07/27/2015

You will be asked this question countless times over the next couple of years. Many students are undecided about their major; in fact, undeclared majors are one of the largest groups of incoming first-year students. Even the majority of declared students will change their major more than once before graduation. Regardless of major, however, every undergraduate student at the University of Denver takes Common Curriculum courses. These courses introduce you to a variety of disciplines across the arts, humanities, and sciences as part of a liberal arts education. Taking Common Curriculum classes during your first year will give you the opportunity to take introductory courses in subjects you may find you want to explore further through a dedicated major or minor.

During your first few quarters at DU, it is okay to explore, to not know what your major will be. This is the time to take the steps to decide on your interests and future career path. Choosing a major is an active process that involves your complete participation and looks different for everyone. No matter what your process will look like, you have numerous resources to help you from the moment you step on campus.

**Students can confirm their major with their FSEM instructor/advisor during Discoveries Orientation and are able to make any necessary changes at that time.**

Discoveries Orientation

Check out the sessions below to begin your major exploration! Keep your options open…you’re in good company as an Undeclared student.

The director of the Pre-Professional/Allied Health Advising Program will speak with students interested in applying to med­ical school or dental school, or pursuing graduate work in physical therapy, nursing, or physician assistant/other health-related programs.

3:15-4:15 p.m.: Pre-Law Info Session - Byron Theatre, Newman Center

Talk with DU’s pre-law advisor about what you need to do to prepare for law school. We will discuss topics such as classes to take as an undergraduate, knowing your GPA, conduct records, learning what it means to go to law school, and more.

Wednesday, September 9th

10 a.m.-12 p.m.: First-Year Major Advising and Common Curriculum Advising

Students will meet with faculty to learn about major and minor requirements. You don’t have to be a declared major to attend a specific major session. If you are even remotely interested in a major, attend that major advising session!

Attend an interactive workshop and gain insight on deciding a major, finding internships, and discovering how to find a meaningful path in your life. Learn about the many ways Career Services can help you be successful from your first year on.

Keep the momentum going… remember, major selection is an active process!

First-Year Seminar Instructor - meet with them regularly to discuss your interests. Lucky for you, your first-year seminar instructor is also your academic advisor and can help guide you throughout your decision-making process.

Career Services - schedule an appointment (303-871-2455) to have an exploratory meeting with a career counselor to learn how majors translate into future careers, or take a personality/interest inventory to learn about your strengths.

*Winter Quarter

CNP 1200 Career Decision Making - a course offered both winter and spring quarters for undergraduates unsure of their academic and/or career direction. It will give you an opportunity to explore your interests and skills.

*Spring Quarter

Still unsure of your major? Need help figuring out how to fit all of your majors/minors into a graduation plan?

Be Advised! – Schedule a meeting with a professional academic advisor (303-871-2455) to review your options and develop a graduation plan.

In the meantime... don't stress! There are programs, resources, and advisors willing and happy to help you throughout your time at DU. All you need to do is seek them out!

07/24/2015

The 2016 Discoveries Orientation team is anxiously awaiting your arrival to the University of Denver campus! Our goal is to welcome you to our community and make your transition to college as smooth as possible. The week of Discoveries Orientation is an exciting time for you to get acclimated to campus, the academic environment, and to meet other DU students. You will go through the week with classmates from your First-Year Seminar (FSEM) and your FSEM Professor. Each group is also assigned an orientation leader (a current DU student) who will guide you through the week of Discoveries and answer any questions you may have from the student perspective!

There are many activities happening throughout the week of orientation:

Dialogues: Dialogues is a series of conversations you will have with your Faculty Mentor, Orientation Leader, and classmates in the classroom setting. You will discuss various readings, share perspectives with peers, and learn more about academic expectations and resources at DU. You will also learn a bit more about what to expect from your FSEM in the upcoming quarter.

Registration: For our incoming first-year students, you should have already completed the Academic Interest Survey sent in June. From that survey, your staff academic advisor sent you suggested courses in order to build your three sample schedules. During orientation week, you will sit down with a faculty or staff member to register for the courses you selected in those schedules.

Destination Trips: Destination trips allow you to spend time with your Discoveries Orientation group in experiential learning related to the topic of your First-Year Seminar. You might take a trip up to Mt. Evans for a hike, take the light rail downtown to visit a museum - or anything in between! You will receive details about your specific Destination trip from your FSEM Professor.

Evening Activities: A fun social activity is planned for each night of Discoveries Orientation. This is a great time to relax and get to know your fellow incoming Pioneers as well as other orientation leaders.

Transitioning to college is exhilarating, but can also cause some anxiety. It is normal to feel a bit unsure of what lies ahead. The University of Denver community is here to welcome you and help with anything you may need. During Discoveries Orientation week, we encourage you to ask your orientation leader or faculty mentor any questions and to also share any concerns you may have. The week of orientation is incredibly busy! While it’s critical that you attend all the required activities, it’s also important to take time for yourself and reflect on your experience.

A complete schedule of activities for the week can be found here. If you have ANY questions, please contact the Discoveries Orientation Office at 303-871-3860 or discoveries@du.edu. We can’t wait to see you in a few short weeks!

06/29/2015

When you arrive at the University of Denver, we want you to know that you are in a supportive and caring environment, with students, faculty, and staff that are eager to help you in your journey. There are many activities you will participate in during your Discoveries Orientation week (such as meeting with your faculty advisor, connecting with fellow students, and registering for classes) designed to assist you in making a smooth transition to campus. As you settle in to life at DU, begin to take advantage of the opportunities that will help you develop new skills, connections, and overall wellness.

Writing Center

Students may bring any writing project to the Writing Center, located in our beautiful Anderson Academic Commons. Undergraduate and graduate student consultants will work with writers in every subject area, from engineering to English and business to biology. Assistance with brainstorming, developing a thesis, organizing, revising, using sources, and editing is offered. Help at the Writing Center is meant to foster strong critical thinking and decision-making, and writers are able to meet with a Writing Center consultant once per day per writing project.

Career Center

Get connected! The Career Center specializes in individualized services and appointments as well as providing access to alumni and employer contacts for career advice and job/internship opportunities. These connections and opportunities are available to you through multiple online resources available 24/7 including extensive job and internship databases specifically for DU students. For more information, visit the Career Center or call 303-871-2150.

Math Center

The Math Center is also located in the Anderson Academic Commons and provides free drop-in assistance for algebra, trigonometry, business calculus, and calculus I, II, and III classes.

University Technology Services

University Technology Services, or UTS, provides phone, email, online, and walk-in computer support for all students at the University of Denver. If you have questions about laptop requirements, or need assistance with frequently asked questions, feel free to visit their website link noted above.

Center for Multicultural Excellence

The Center for Multicultural Excellence (CME) helps prepare students for successful living, learning, and employment in highly diverse settings. In addition to providing support services for traditionally underrepresented communities, CME also engages the entire campus community in awareness training and education, multicultural skill building, conflict de-escalation, coalition-building and proactive programming. CME offers all DU students a variety of opportunities for involvement and leadership in programming that includes retreats, dialogues, movie discussions, and peer facilitation and mentorship.

Health and Counseling

The Health & Counseling Center is an on-campus facility that provides a wide range of on-site medical and mental health services. Physicians, nurses, psychologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other professionals staff the DU HCC. We see individuals with a wide range of concerns from birth control, travel immunizations, stress, homesickness, career decision-making, relationship problems and GLBTIQ-related issues, to more serious problems such as eating disorders, trauma, or depression and anxiety disorders. All students enrolled for academic credit (full-time or part-time, undergraduate or graduate) may use the HCC.

Religious & Spiritual Life

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life helps students maintain connections with the faith traditions of their youth, working with campus ministers of various religions. In addition, the University Chaplain is always available for conversation and counsel to help all students explore their spiritual possibilities. Visit their website at www.du.edu/religiouslife.

Center for World Languages and Cultures

One of the tenets of our University is global citizenship - the Center for World Languages and Cultures prepares students for living and working in an international community. From summer language courses to tutoring and conversation groups, the CWLC is available as a resource for all members of the University.

05/12/2015

Welcome to DU! I am relatively new to DU myself, having joined the community this past September, and I am continually reminded of how much I enjoy our smart, passionate and engaged students. I know you and our other DU students will go on to lead our state, nation and world in all sorts of fields and ways. I can’t wait to greet you and help you explore all that DU has to offer.

I know you will make DU’s path-breaking community even stronger, more diverse and more engaged. As a new student—or a parent of one—you should know about some exciting work underway to plan ahead for the University’s next 10 years. While I suspect you’re more focused on nearer-term goals, this is a great opportunity to help us shape the student experience for you and for future Pioneers. DU is developing a strategic plan to create a vision for the future that addresses the needs of 21st-century students and society by creating more opportunities for students and faculty to work together.

We’ve been asking our DU community members to share their ideas in a program called “Imagine DU.” I had the opportunity to go around campus a while ago to talk to some of our current students. I hope you enjoy this video of students sharing their ideas with me and start to think of your own as you get ready to join our DU community. You can read more about Imagine DU on our website.

Please know that all of us at DU look forward to seeing you in August. All of us at DU are eager to provide the resources you need to thrive academically and personally.

05/07/2015

What one gets out of higher education depends on what one puts into it. This is the perspective of Sophia Man, a senior at the University of Denver double majoring in International Studies and Asian Studies. Having lived many places over the course of her life, Sophia is no stranger to adapting to a new environment or making the most out of a new situation.

At DU, this not only included becoming a resident assistant and gaining “quite a bit of interpersonal experience,” but creating what she calls her “own support system.”

“I feel like I often had to create my own support during my time in college; create my friend base, network with my teachers for professional support, and be active in organizations.”

However, she also found important resources on campus, such as Career Services. According to Sophia, the department was helpful in getting her ready for the job-hunting process.

“The resource that I did take advantage of is the Career Center. They provided advice about how to amp up my resume and cover letter as well as job sites that I could use.”

Being on the cusp of graduation often allows for moments of reflection. When asked about what students should do while in school to prepare themselves for the future, Sophia had several things to say:

“Be proactive in whatever you do; put yourself into uncomfortable situations; be open-minded to learning new things; don’t be afraid to ask for help; and take care of yourself.”

These qualities are what Sophia has put into practice during her time at DU, and as she moves towards a new stage they continue to govern her perspective. While still unsure about exactly what the future holds, Sophia remains confident, not only in the fact that a new opportunity will present itself, but that it is within her power to ensure that it will.

“As of now I am still searching for jobs - nothing is finalized just yet, but it’s ok. Opportunities will come with time and effort.”

Success in college is a collaborative effort between school and student. While universities must work to have supportive infrastructure in place, it is up to the student to decide what to do with it. Sophia’s combination of optimism and work ethic allowed her to make the most of her DU experience and will carry her through life post-graduation as well.

03/27/2015

Even as she was applying for schools, Colorado native Crystal Murillo knew that she wanted study abroad to be a part of her college experience. This, in addition to its business programs, was one of the main reasons why she found herself at the University of Denver. “I learned about the various opportunities DU had for me to travel to other countries and I fell in love,” Murillo said while describing her college search.

However, as with many aspects of college life, the process of actually implementing a study abroad experience can be challenging. This is why it is important for a university to have tools in place to help guide students through the process. According to Murillo, that is exactly what she found at DU.

“DU had required sessions for me to attend before and after I knew where I was going which were quite informative. The application process was a little nerve-racking only because you had to pick your top three schools, but the questions they asked were quite illuminating.”

And the assistance didn’t stop there. In looking at Murillo’s story, one can see that DU’s partner programs also provided invaluable assistance:

“Through my program I also found a lot of support; they even offered a service where their organization would file for a student visa on my behalf without incurring the cost of going to the consulate in LA.”

Gaining this support opened up the world to Crystal. Over the course of her DU education she has been able to go further than she ever dreamed possible, traveling to Belize and Madrid through two separate trips. These journeys have also given her exposure to a level of diversity that can only be found through international travel:

“I lived in an international flat with girls from all over the world who had come to Spain to study. Getting to know them as well as other local students was very enriching.”

Of course, that is not to say that studying abroad does not present unique challenges in addition to its charms. With international programs sometimes lasting for several months it is always important for students to not only reach out to support systems back home, but to open themselves up to their new surroundings.

“Every once in a while I would have periods where I felt homesick. To overcome that temporary feeling I would talk it out with my family and friends and it always helped me. Just being surrounded by people who are different than you and have a different way of life can be overwhelming to try and adjust to, but in the end it helped me grow as a person.”

However, for students like Murillo, the benefits outweigh any hassles. Not only does participation in these programs help elevate one’s schoolwork and strengthen one’s resume, but it also helps one grow in more subtle and profound ways. As Murillo notes:

“Indirectly, study abroad has given me so much more. I have gained a better sense of the Spanish culture and a better appreciation for their way of life. I have come to compare my life in Spain and my life in Colorado and analyze their differences. They are unique in their own right but my perspective has changed to be more inclusive of people who are different than me. For anyone entering our increasingly global workforce, like myself, being inclusive of others is an essential skill to have learned.”

Finally, a study abroad experience seems to have one final effect: it gives people the travel bug, often times for life. When asked about where she would like to travel next, Murillo quickly zeroed in on a whole new country and a whole new adventure:

“For me that is Japan. I think the Japanese culture is so fascinating and I would love to be able to live there for an extended amount of time. I think it would challenge me personally to live in Japan because I believe their way of life is vastly different than mine.”

03/02/2015

For those interested in the international education opportunities offered by the University of Denver, there are few people better to talk to than its Director of International Education, Denise Cope. A teacher and world traveler, Denise has lived all over the globe and has worked with DU for the last year and a half.

According to Denise, study abroad is an experience “built into the overall culture” of DU. With over 150 Partner Programs across 50+ different countries, the amount of options students have are staggering - from places like England and France, to locations as diverse as Ulan Bator, Mongolia and Vladivostok, Russia. Pursuing these types of experiences is critically important, says Denise, and not just for a student’s personal or academic development.

“International experience is baseline in today’s global economy and job market. If a student doesn’t have some significant international experience and intercultural awareness, then they start out at a deficit. We want DU students to shine in the job market, and therefore we offer term-length study abroad.”

This focus on study abroad, particularly the support DU offers for term-length travel, is something unique in college environments. However, these resources are the student’s responsibility to capitalize on, which Denise says involves starting early. “Students should visit us in our office in the fall term of their sophomore year, if not earlier.”

Preparation for study abroad is something that should not be taken lightly. However, with a program headed by people like Denise Cope, students will be prepared for wherever they find themselves in the world. The Office of International Education (OIE) is committed to helping students succeed with their international endeavors - not just financially and academically, but also emotionally and psychologically.

When asked about what students can do to mediate the transition of going abroad, Denise had this advice to share: “Know what culture shock looks like and how it manifests. Often it manifests as a lot of complaining or negative judgments about the other culture. Bring awareness and compassion for yourself when you feel that sensation while abroad. Also, before going abroad, I suggest developing strategies (along with a student's parents) for ways of dealing with the stress. What does a student need to feel grounded again?”

OIE possesses a unique level of intuition regarding the complexities of study abroad, which is a boon to students looking for fulfilling, life-altering international experiences. The people who help DU students go abroad also love being abroad. Unsurprisingly, this spirit is personified in Denise’s reflections on her own experience:

“I have a fondness for all of the countries that I have lived and worked in: France, Morocco, Japan and Turkey. If I had to choose one I would probably choose Morocco. The landscape is vibrant, the people hospitable and the food other worldly. Plus, I love speaking French there!”

02/05/2015

As someone who loves the outdoors, trying new restaurants, and is continually looking for ways to grow, DU junior Neda Kikhia found a natural home at the University of Denver (DU). A Lakewood, CO native, Neda gravitated towards DU not just due to her love of Colorado and Denver, but because of the different programs the University offers.

While originally intending to pursue International Relations and Business, Neda has since found herself melding a wide variety of subjects into one impressive package.

“I’m pursuing a double major in Communication Studies and Religious Studies with minors in Biology, Business Administration, and Leadership Studies.”

In addition to her studies, Neda has also found a place to apply what she learns in the classroom by involving herself with the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL), where she works in Public Achievement and as a Public Good Program Assistant. Through these programs, Neda has been able to build a sense of community while also doing great work for the larger Denver area.

“I’ve worked in schools with low-income status through a community-organizing model. I basically work with high school students on social justice issues they’re passionate about and support them through the process of doing a project to address the issue in their local community.”

Such opportunities, Neda says, are not just for the select few, but for anyone looking to follow their passions. With a wide array of different programs, there is “a spot for everyone” who is interested in helping their community. For Neda, finding resources like the ones offered by CCESL are critical to having a successful college experience, because “at the end of the day, a grade can only get you so far; you need to have the people skills and experience to back up your knowledge and give some context to the messages you’ll learn in the classroom.”

And there is really no better place to grow than Colorado, which is certainly a place to push yourself academically and professionally, but also to practice “self-care,” which, as Neda points out, is another key component to acing the college lifestyle.

“You can get involved in as many things as you want, but make sure that with activities, school, and life, you are taking time for yourself. This time might sound silly, but at the end of the day, you’ll appreciate that you took some you time to refocus and keep you fueled so you don’t burn out fast.”

There are more than a few opportunities for someone to take care of themselves in Denver, CO. Whether it be decompressing with a great mountain hike, or soaking up the city’s music scene, students from all parts of the world will find Denver and DU are places they can excel and grow - not only as students and professionals, but also as people. As Neda says:

“Come live here to be around genuine people and learn more about yourself and who you want to be.”